Gasp: meaning, definitions and examples

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gasp

[ ɡæsp ]

Verb / Noun

^{Context #1 | Verb}

breathe in quickly and audibly due to being out of breath or shocked

To gasp is to take a quick, audible breath in, often due to being out of breath or shocked. It is a reflex action that can occur when someone is surprised, scared, or physically exerted. Gasping can also be a sign of respiratory distress or a medical emergency.

Synonyms

breathe, gulp, pant, wheeze.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gasp	Used when someone takes a quick, sharp breath due to shock, surprise, or difficulty in breathing. She gasped when she saw the surprise party He gasped for air after running up the stairs
breathe	Refers to the regular process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs. Can be used in both normal and stressed situations. Just breathe deeply and you'll feel better He reminded her to breathe calmly during the yoga session
pant	Describes breathing quickly and heavily, often due to exertion, excitement, or extreme heat. It can carry a slightly anxious or urgent tone. The dog was panting heavily after running in the park He panted with excitement when he reached the finish line
wheeze	Indicates breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest, typically due to illness or respiratory issues. Carries a negative connotation related to health problems. He wheezed as he tried to catch his breath after the asthma attack The old man wheezed painfully in his bed
gulp	Usually refers to swallowing quickly or trying to catch one's breath with a swallowed action. Often conveys a sense of nervousness or urgency. She gulped nervously before giving her speech He took a gulp of water after the long run

Examples of usage

She gasped in shock when she saw the accident.
I could hear him gasp for air after running up the stairs.
The sudden jump scare in the movie made the audience gasp with fear.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

an act of taking a quick, audible breath due to being out of breath or shocked

A gasp is the act of taking a quick, audible breath in, often due to being out of breath or shocked. It is a sudden inhalation that can express surprise, fear, or excitement. Gasps are often involuntary reactions to unexpected events.

Synonyms

exhale, gulp, pant, wheeze.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gasp	Used when someone is suddenly surprised or struggles to breathe because of shock or pain. She gasped when she saw the surprise gift. He gasped for air after the intense workout.
pant	Describes quick, short breaths often due to exertion, excitement, or distress. The dog was panting after playing in the yard. She was panting and out of breath after running to catch the bus.
wheeze	Indicates a high-pitched, whistling sound while breathing, often because of a respiratory issue. It can have a negative connotation. He wheezed slightly because of his asthma. The old man wheezed as he climbed the stairs.
gulp	Describes quickly swallowing a large amount of liquid or breathing with difficulty. It often conveys a sense of urgency or anxiety. He gulped down the water after the long run. She gulped nervously before giving her speech.
exhale	Describes the act of breathing out air from the lungs, often done slowly or intentionally, such as during relaxation. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly to calm herself. The doctor instructed him to inhale deeply and then exhale.

Examples of usage

She let out a gasp of relief when she heard the good news.
His gasp of astonishment was heard across the room.
The silence was broken by a collective gasp from the audience.

Translations

Translations of the word "gasp" in other languages:

🇵🇹 suspiro

🇮🇳 हांफना

🇩🇪 Luftholen

🇮🇩 terengah-engah

🇺🇦 зітхання

🇵🇱 westchnienie

🇯🇵 はあっと息を吐く

🇫🇷 haleter

🇪🇸 jadeo

🇹🇷 soluk almak

🇰🇷 헐떡거리다

🇸🇦 يلهث

🇨🇿 lapat po dechu

🇸🇰 lapať po dychu

🇨🇳 喘气

🇸🇮 zavzdih

🇮🇸 andas djúpt

🇰🇿 дем алу

🇬🇪 სუნთქვა

🇦🇿 nəfəs alma

🇲🇽 jadeo

Etymology

The word 'gasp' has been in use since the late 14th century, derived from Old Norse 'gæspa', which meant 'to gasp, to yawn'. It is related to the Old English word 'gæpsan', meaning 'to belch, yawn'. The concept of gasping for breath or air has been a part of human experience since ancient times, reflecting the universal reaction to surprise, shock, or physical exertion.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,815, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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